Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4308013 | Surgery | 2010 | 7 Pages |
BackgroundGroin hernia repair occasionally leads to severe chronic pain associated with entrapped or damaged nerves. Conservative treatment is often unsuccessful. Selective neurectomy may be effective, but long-term results are scarce. The authors assessed the long-term efficacy of surgical neurectomy for chronic, postherniorrhaphy groin neuralgia.MethodsA registry of patients with postherniorrhaphy groin pain treated by neurectomy was analyzed. Patients received a questionnaire evaluating the current pain intensity, overall treatment results, and effects on sexual intercourse-related pain. The risk factors for failure and presence of a learning curve were investigated.ResultsFifty-four patients underwent a neurectomy over a 5-year time period, 49 of whom responded to the questionnaire (response rate, 91%). After a median follow-up period of 1.5 years, 52% claimed to be pain free or almost pain free (good to excellent), 24% reported some relief but still felt pain at a regular basis (moderate), and 24% did not benefit (poor or worse). Sexual intercourse-related pain responded favorably to neurectomy in two thirds of patients. There seemed to be a steep learning curve, and poor treatment results depended on previously received pain regimens (P = .021).ConclusionA selective operative neurectomy for postherniorrhaphy groin neuralgia provides good long-term pain relief in most patients. Hernia surgeons should feel responsible for this iatrogenic complication and should consider incorporating selective neurectomy in their surgical armamentarium.